In the U. S. interest: A focus on the environment is crucial for America's future national security
- Environmental and Energy Study Inst., Washington, DC (United States)
In the post-Cold War era, environmental security should be recognized as one of the pillars of US national security, along with military and economic security. Mounting stresses being placed on the Earth's life support systems threaten the well-being of Americans in a number of ways: increases in global temperature expected in the next few decades from increased concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere could raise sea levels, causing saltwater intrusion into US water supplies. Global warming could also cause the Midwest to suffer scorching droughts on a regular basis. Americans are confronted with the potential loss of a significant proportion of the world's biological species and a threat to the security of the world food supply from its dependence on relatively few varieties of food crops that are vulnerable to diseases and pests that have developed resistance to pesticides. The depletion of the ozone layer increases exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The erosion of the environmental security of other countries also affects other US global security, economic, and humanitarian interests.
- OSTI ID:
- 5582806
- Journal Information:
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Journal; (United States), Journal Name: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Journal; (United States) Vol. 19:2; ISSN EPAJDB; ISSN 0145-1189
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DECISION MAKING
DROUGHTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
GREENHOUSE GASES
LAYERS
LEVELS
NATIONAL SECURITY
OZONE LAYER
SEA LEVEL
SECURITY